The range of topics that appear in the “Letters to the Editor” inbox is generally as expansive as the variety of interests and passions you’ll find on the ISU campus. People write about gun control, the perceived decline of VEISHEA, politics and religion — and those are just from the last two weeks.

It’s a common occurrence for me to receive a letter I don’t agree with. It’s very uncommon, however, for me to read a letter and have qualms about publishing it. I believe in the marketplace of ideas; that the best policy or idea will surface from the competition of a wide variety of ideas. 

On April 3, the Daily published a letter from Robert Bender, an ISU senior in genetics: “Liberal Americans are nostalgic for racism.” True to the marketplace theory, letters countering Mr. Bender’s point began to show up in the “Letters” inbox. We’ve published three, to date — from a senior in world languages and cultures, a junior in history and an associate professor in philosophy. As I write this, a total of 42 comments have been posted spanning all four pieces of writing.

But as I discussed the fallout with someone whose opinion I value and respect, I was told, “it’s not enough to stir the pot and step away.”

You see, Robert Bender writes that “racism is dead.”